Jessup 2025: Summary of the Case Concerning the Naegea Sea

Summary

The Pain Peninsula, comprised of seven states including Ambrosia and Rovinia, faces geopolitical and legal challenges over fishing rights and maritime boundaries due to climate change and shifting coastlines. Ambrosia's adoption of a law freezing its baselines sparked a dispute with Rovinia over the Triton Shoal. Political instability in Ambrosia, following a presidential crisis and protests, led to a transitional council assuming power. Meanwhile, human rights allegations against former Minister Gertrude Cross over enforced disappearances added to the tension, culminating in a legal battle between Ambrosia and Rovinia at the International Court of Justice.

Takeaways

• 😀 In the 1940s, the seven former colonies on the Pain Peninsula became independent states, including Ambrosia in the north and Rovenia in the south.
• 😀 In 2015, the seven states established the Organization for Cooperation and Development in the Pain (OCDP) to foster regional cooperation.
• 😀 Fishing, particularly tuna, is a key economic sector for the states on the Pain Peninsula due to the abundant marine life in the Niia Sea.
• 😀 By the 1980s, the Pain Peninsula states had established baseline maritime zones, with Ambrosia implementing a 'freezing' law in 2015 to fix its baselines at the low-water lines from that year.
• 😀 Rovenia protested Ambrosia's fixed baselines, and in response, other states in the region passed similar laws, causing tensions over maritime boundaries.
• 😀 In 2018, Ambrosia's coastlines had receded enough that fixed baselines led to the entire Triton Shoal being located outside its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), raising claims it was part of the high seas.
• 😀 In 2019, Ambrosia's President Prosper D was re-elected, and his vice president, Mary Zaval, commissioned a military aircraft as her official plane.
• 😀 After President Prosper D suffered a stroke in 2022, Vice President Zaval became the acting president, but protests erupted in 2023 over the government’s failure to adequately respond to a devastating hurricane.
• 😀 During the protests, a transitional council led by Rooney Pettis took control of Ambrosia, claiming executive authority, while Zaval was still abroad.
• 😀 Amid political turmoil, Rovenia prohibited Ambrosia's Falcon aircraft from leaving, and the Renan courts ruled in favor of the transitional council, recognizing it as the legitimate government of Ambrosia.
• 😀 In 2023, a report by Human Rights International implicated Ambrosia's former Interior Minister Gertrude Cross in the abduction of nationals as part of a drug program, leading to criminal charges against her in Rovenia.
• 😀 In May 2024, President Prosper D returned to Ambrosia after recovering from his stroke, and in July 2024, Ambrosia filed a case with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Rovenia regarding the detention of Gertrude Cross.

Q & A

What significant event occurred in the 1940s involving the former colonies on the Pain Peninsula?

In the 1940s, the seven former colonies on the Pain Peninsula became independent states, which included the Union of Ambrosia in the North and the Republic of Rovenia in the South.

What was the Organization for Cooperation and Development in the Pain (OCDP) and when was it established?

The OCDP was an organization created in 2015 by the seven states of the Pain Peninsula to foster cooperation and development among them.

Why is fishing an important economic sector for the states of the Pain Peninsula?

Fishing is a key economic sector because the Niia Sea, which surrounds the peninsula, is rich in various tuna species, making it crucial to the local economy.

What was the purpose of Ambrosia's 'freezing law' in 2015?

Ambrosia's freezing law, enacted in 2015, fixed its maritime baselines at the low water lines that existed on November 1st, 2015, in response to the predicted impacts of global climate change and sea-level rise.

What issue arose regarding the Triton Sh area in relation to Ambrosia's baselines?

By 2018, Ambrosia's coastlines had receded so much that, if baselines were set at the actual low water marks, the entire Triton Sh area would be outside Ambrosia's exclusive economic zone, leading to disputes over fishing rights.

What role did Rovenia play in the dispute over the Triton Sh area?

Rovenia issued fishing permits for the Triton Sh area, which Ambrosia protested, claiming that the area was still within its economic zone due to its fixed baselines.

What happened in February 2019 regarding Ambrosia's leadership?

In February 2019, Prosper D., the president of Ambrosia, was re-elected. However, after he suffered a stroke in 2021, his vice president, Mary Zavala, became acting president.

What triggered protests in Ambrosia in February 2023?

Protests erupted in February 2023 after a destructive hurricane hit the Ambrosian fishing village of Doina, and the acting president, Mary Zavala, failed to provide an adequate response.

What was the outcome of the protests in Ambrosia?

The protests led to mass resignations from the Ambrosian cabinet, and a transitional council, led by Rooney Pettis, was formed, claiming executive power until the return of President Dur.

How did Rovenia respond to the situation with Ambrosia's Falcon aircraft in 2023?

Rovenia's police prohibited the movement of Ambrosia's Falcon aircraft, which had been repurposed for use by the vice president, pending a court decision regarding enforcement proceedings related to a lawsuit filed by the transitional council.

What legal action did Rovenia take in December 2023 regarding former Ambrosian Minister Gertrude Cross?

In December 2023, Rovenia's general prosecutor filed a complaint against former Ambrosian Minister Gertrude Cross for enforced disappearance related to her role in the ILSA program, which was accused of abductions during her time in office.

What was the outcome of the complaint against Gertrude Cross in 2024?

In 2024, Rovenia took Gertrude Cross into custody after a Renan court issued an arrest warrant. Ambrosia demanded her release, but Rovenia rejected the request, arguing that Cross was subject to Renan law.

What action did Ambrosia take in response to the detention of Gertrude Cross?

On July 11, 2024, Ambrosia filed an application with the International Court of Justice, seeking proceedings against Rovenia under Article 21 of the OCDP Charter.